Afrobeat history
A genre created by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s, fusing Yoruba music, highlife, jazz, and funk into extended, politically charged compositions.
In Depth
Tony Allen, Fela Kuti's drummer, was named by Brian Eno as "perhaps the greatest drummer who has ever lived" — his polyrhythmic style essentially created the rhythmic foundation of Afrobeat single-handedly.
Related Terms
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Browse allA genre blending jazz, funk, soul, and electronic dance music that emerged in London in the late 1980s.
A jazz subgenre integrating Afro-Cuban rhythmic structures with jazz harmony and improvisation.
A genre blending West African musical traditions with American jazz and funk, pioneered by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti in the late 1960s.
A genre of electronic music emphasizing tone, atmosphere, and texture over traditional rhythm or melody.
Music that emphasises atmosphere, texture, and tone over traditional melody and rhythm.
A song of devotion or patriotism, or a ceremonial choral composition.
A loosely defined genre that applies avant-garde or experimental concepts to pop music, prioritizing artistic ambition and conceptual depth alongside accessibility.
A slow, sentimental song, or a narrative song that tells a story.